Hello. I'm Rosemary Taylorson, a trained and accredited British Humanist Association (BHA) celebrant. I conduct non religious ceremonies within reach of the South West London area and into parts of Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire, for those who have chosen to live without religion.

If your loved-one was not religious, you will find a humanist funeral ceremony both personal and dignified. The ceremony focuses on the life of the person who has died, celebrating their achievements and character, with music, tributes and readings.

Nothing in the ceremony will offend those who are religious, and people of all persuasions often comment on how uplifted they feel.

‘We think you did an outstanding
job, and would recommend your services to everyone.’

You do not have to be a 'humanist' to use a humanist celebrant, but simply prefer a non-religious ceremony. You need not be concerned that humanism itself will be stressed in any of the ceremonies.

Most
of us want to mark important transitions in our lives, sharing these
milestone occasions with family and friends. People with religious
beliefs will normally want a minister or leader to conduct their
ceremonies, but for those for whom religion is less important, a
humanist ceremony, which uniquely and affectionately welcomes or
honours a life, or celebrates the union of a couple, is likely to have
more warmth and meaning. Although humanism itself is not usually outlined or stressed, by focussing on people and celebrating their lives, it underpins each ceremony.

The British Humanist Association (BHA) trains, accredits, insures and supports a national network of
celebrants to conduct naming, wedding and funeral ceremonies for those
looking for a non-religious alternative. With some 300 celebrants, the BHA is the largest and longest-established organisation offering non-religious and humanist ceremonies by trained celebrants in the UK.

Whatever the circumstance, a
humanist celebrant is not there to preach, moralise or judge - but to
understand. Together with you, we can plan a personal ceremony and
conduct it for you on the day.

'[My] Spanish contingent were astonished that without the religious element they were so moved by the ceremony.'

'Thank you Rosemary!! Mum's memorial celebration would not have been nearly so special without your expertise. You were wonderful.'

Humanism is a positive ethical stance, not just an atheistic or agnostic one, believing in the innate goodness of humans and their capacity to live good lives without religion. Humanists care deeply about moral issues but from a non-religious standpoint.

Humanists accept that our present life is our only
life, not just preparation for life after death. They believe that, in this one
life, we have to make meaning and purpose for ourselves. Humanists are positive,
gaining inspiration and meaning from our lives and experiences, from art and culture, and from a
rich natural world.

2013 Debate in the House of Lords on humanist weddings. Lord Birt: "Humanism is a movement. It is not bound together by belief in a supreme being or a formal body of doctrine, but by ethical conviction, a belief in rationality and the virtues of science, respect for nature and a commitment to optimise the sum total of human happiness here on earth," he said. "Anyone who has ever attended a humanist ceremony of any kind will attest to its spiritual power, to the sense that it viscerally captures and conveys a strong sense of community feeling and the wonder of human existence."